The Yankees are looking at one of the top position players that might be available at the trade deadline, as ESPN.com’s Buster Olney tweets that New York is one of the teams interested Rockies shortstop Trevor Story. Roughly six to eight teams have reportedly contacted the Rockies about Story, with the White Sox being one of the names linked to the All-Star.
There have already been a few unique turns to Story’s status as a trade candidate, such as Chicago’s openness to moving Story from shortstop to second base, or an unnamed team looking into Story as a center fielder. While the Yankees have a center field need of their own, it is probably safe to presume their interest in Story is pretty straight-forward — Story would take over shortstop from Gleyber Torres, with Torres moving to second base, DJ LeMahieu playing first base regularly, and Gio Urshela playing third base when he returns from the COVID-IL. Luke Voit would presumably factor into the first base mix when healthy, though it isn’t known when he might return from his current knee problems.
Story is only under contract through the remainder of the 2021 season, but it would be safe to imagine that his acquisition might mark the long-term end of Torres as a shortstop. Torres has delivered consistently below-average defense at the shortstop position, and since taking over the position full-time prior to the 2020 season, Torres’ offensive production has significantly dropped. After batting .275/.338/.511 in 1088 PA in 2018-19, Torres has since hit only .241/.337/.348 in 497 plate appearances.
Should the Yankees be looking for a new shortstop come the offseason, they’ll have many options to pick from amidst a very star-studded shortstop class that will include Story himself. The Yankees would certainly use their two-plus months with Story as a recruiting pitch to perhaps interest him in a long-term commitment this winter, and there would be no better enticement than if Story could help the team get into the postseason.
Playing on a $17.5MM salary for 2021, Story has about $6.97MM remaining. It isn’t a huge sum unto itself, though it does weigh heavily for a Yankees team that has prioritized staying under the $210MM luxury tax threshold this season, and thus resetting their penalty status. New York is already within roughly $4MM of the threshold, and the Yankees also have holes to fill in the outfield and within the pitching staff. As MLBTR’s Steve Adams noted today, the Rockies could opt to maximize their return for Story by offering to eat the rest of his salary in exchange for a better prospect return, which would certainly get the Yankees’ attention and would be a canny move to increase the trade value of a rental player.
That said, there is also some doubt that Colorado will move Story at all, since the team will get a compensatory draft pick should Story reject the qualifying offer and sign elsewhere in free agency. The Yankees would have to top the value of that compensatory pick, which New York might not be willing to do for a rental player, and if the team is ultimately competing just for a one-game wild card playoff at this point (given the eight-game gap between the Yankees and the first-place Red Sox in the AL East standings).
Yankee-4-Lifer 75
I’m not denying Trevor Story has talent. I just don’t see him as a fit with the Yankees. He plays shortstop, which the team doesn’t have a need for, and he’s not a centerfielder. They need Joey Gallo in the lineup to help provide a lefthanded power bat in between Judge and Stanton. Story would definitely be better off playing elsewhere.
Perksy
I like Gallo like you said left handed but I think he is too similar to what they have. I would prefer Marte, Reynolds or Frazier. Adds another dimension with speed and contact.
bucincharlotte
It will take all of the Yankees top 3 prospects to get Reynolds!
joblo
Plus Aaron Judge.
Yankee-4-Lifer 75
@bucincharlotte- Who says so, you? That’s definitely not true. This is a Long Island kid, that probably wants to come home. He will cost, but not the 3 top prospects from any farm system. Maybe a pick in your top 5, and another pick in your top 10, and one pick in your top 15-20. The Yankees could trade for this kid today. The Pirates would be wise to keep him, with all the years of control they have for him. I think Adam Frazier will be the guy that gets traded somewhere. Not Reynolds.
Yankee-4-Lifer 75
@joblo- I definitely think it’s time to put the pipe down my friend, and start smoking something legal.
downeysoft42
“Long Island kid that prolly want to go home “ as if he has any say where he goes lol
BK520
Given the season the Yankees are having, I would much rather them stand pat on Story and go hard on Seager in the off season. Can’t remember where I read a few months ago that they are already interested in him. World Series winner, lefty bat, shortstop. It all makes sense. And we could use those prospects in a Story deal instead for Gallo like you said. That adds 2 solid lefties to the lineup with above average defense as well. To me, it’s the best case scenario and a sure way to move on from this wretched 2021 season.
drasco036
It’s just my opinion but the Yankees desperately need short stop help. Torres is a defensive butcher but the guy they should target is Baez, not Story.
Baez, in New York, has a high likelihood of returning to his MVP play. The short porch/wind tunnel whatever you call it in RF would be too tempting for Baez to not resort back to his opposite field approach that aided him so well in 2018 and 19. When Javy is looking to go oppo he at his best, driving line drives to right center.
Also, in trading for Baez, you actually help your outfield defense because Baez plays so deep at short, covers a ton of ground and has an amazing arm. He is a guy that will allow the outfielder to play deeper and cover less ground.
Baez also loves the spot light and will thrive under the pressure that is New York and he a is a plus plus base runner. If NY wants to upgrade SS, Baez is the guy they should target.
interlockingny
Not sure SS is where they should upgrade. Acquiring one would move Torres back to 2B. Okay, he is better there – but LaMahieu is a better 2B and what do you do Odor and Voit when Urshela comes back? Not worth making a move just to make one.
padam
Odor is horrible. Bench him. Voit to DH to cushion his knees and Stanton to LF. Team just got better defensively in the INF, got a solid bat, and speed on the bases.
BuJoBi
With all do respect what do we do with rougned odor is not a problem anyone should be concerned about. He has 2 skills, turning a dp amd occasionally he smacks a guy out, that’s about it
justacubsfan
Are you baez’s agent?
nyy42
Baez is garbage
1984wasntamanual
He’s been more valuable than Gleyber…
gbs42
@nyy42 – Brilliant take on a guy who is a stellar defender at multiple positions, top-tier base runner, and strong power hitter.
Yankee-4-Lifer 75
@nyy42- Baez is far from garbage. He is an All-Star caliber player that any team in the majors would be happy to have. He is one of the best defenders in the league. The one problem he has is he doesn’t draw enough walks and more of a free swinger. I don’t think the Yankees would have interest.
Fred K. Burke
Baez may benefit from a change of scenery. But over the past 3 seasons or so with the Cubs, since his MVP run, here’s what to expect. A lot of everything really. Some good and some not good at all. Lots of strikeouts. At times swinging at pitches way out of the strike zone that makes one scratch your head. Followed by some impressive home runs. An extra base hit that ends up as a single or an out because Baez will stand at home plate and watch the ball. He’ll then end up at 1st with a single or be thrown out at 2nd. Baez will make a dazzling play on defense only to make a silly error on a routine play like what happened earlier this week against the Cardinals. He’ll make some aggressive moves on the bases that force the others team’s defense. Later he’ll be picked off 2nd base from loosing concentration. All I can say from watching Baez is that he’s one of the most maddening players I have ever watched play the game. He looks like an MVP type player at times. Then looks like someone who should learn the basics of the game.
Chubbies
Spot on. I was waiting for a chicagoan to chime in. This post is full of out of town stupid. Baez is not great. Let’s look at his 280 OBP..
…hardly elite.
Dogbone
@drasco You seem to understand Javy very well IMO. I agree with you that Javys eyes would light up with the short porch in RF – and without a doubt, when he is not pulling off the ball and willing to hit to the right side of 2B, he can be a monster.
KCJ
drasco036 –
You think playing in NY will solve Baez’ massive strikeout and on-base issues? Don’t see how changing teams would effect a guys ability to make contact, but I guess I could be wrong
njbirdsfan
Oh absolutely…the one thing the Yankees need is another three true outcomes guy with no obvious defensive position, like Gallo. Maybe they can get Adam Dunn to come out of retirement.
rocky7
Guess that’s your opinion but Torres isn’t a shortstop and will not grow into an elite one going forward….the last thing this team needs is another “former” Gold Glove winner from several years ago to play what arguably is a pretty tough left field at the stadium….and besides the other last thing this team needs is another .210 hitter in the lineup regardless of his exit velocity and launch angle at the short porch……210 is 21 hits for every 100 he actually puts the ball in play fairly…..they have plenty of younger and cheaper guys on the 40 man right now that can do that…..the team has mistakenly lagged behind others transitioning from a home run hitting, base to base team with no speed on the bases which is what is plaguing them right now….all you have to look at have been the last several games where they steal bases, sacrifice to put runners in scoring position and continue to put pressure on other teams defenses to make players and you see what I mean…..Gallo will not do that, nor will he change that.
slider32
Yanks need to change their model, Story gives them a chance to trade Gleyber Torres for a front line pitcher.
gbs42
Torres won’t bring back a frontline pitcher. He’s not that valuable.
slider32
Twins Berrios is worth 40.2 on trade simulator, Gleyber is worth 48 in value!
gbs42
Torres’ power has been non-existent since 2019. I think BTV is over-rating him.
If that trade happens, I’ll eat my hat – just not one of my favorites.
josiahdd
The last thing the Yankees need is ANOTHER dude who walks, strikes out, or hits a HR. Gallo in his career strikes out more often then he gets on base in any fashion.
gbs42
Two of those results are good things…
everlastingdave
If trading aggressively from the ML roster and eating salary to enhance the returns is the smart thing to do… What do we see the Rockies doing? I think they’ll flip Gray for a prospect nobody thinks much of, but maybe they don’t even move Story.
Perksy
Also Trevor Story’s career home/road splits are pretty drastic so I would stay away. 60 pts difference in the AVG, and HR/RBI about 40% less on the road.
houkenflouken
After seeing the return for Nelson Cruz today, story should get a good return
Sox4Life1958
What do you mean? Two guys who never sniffed the top 100 prospect list? Yes, Story will command more, but likely not by much.
tstats
And part of the prospect pedigree came from the Twins throwing another piece in
sfes
Actually one of them was on the top 100, granted at 98 but still top 100 pre 2020 nonetheless.
rocky7
Please….pre-2020…give us a break!
rocky7
Agreed, the return was pretty average to mediocre even for a player going free agent at the end of the year……
dave frost nhlpa
Duran & Garcia should do the trick.
interlockingny
Story would be a bad one for the Yankees – another right handed power hitter that strikes out a lot. Not a great hitter – really benefits from Coors Field. Hitting .180 on the road this year. Hard pass.
Dutch Vander Linde
Tulowitzki 2.0
ctyank7
The real question is how much of the future will Cashman give away for a better shot at a one game playoff on the road.
They will never catch Boston or Tampa Bay even with Story or Gallo in the lineup.
luckyh
I really was starting to think they had a chance, but last night shows they can’t get out of their own way.
Gothamcityriddler
@lucky
You are so right, I don’t even know where to begin. What a fiasco, still smh!
stymeedone
Yankees can’t afford virtually anyone without going over the tax threshold. Nothing but click bait here. Rockies are not paying to trade a player so soon after NA was moved.
rocky7
Future…..do you watch them at all….Cashman hasn’t promoted anyone who has actually stuck since Judge and he can up with 2 other “can’t miss” guys who you can’t even remember…..Future….that’s a joke….the Yankees are always guilty of using their farm team as trade pieces not actually grooming them for big league play on the Yankees.
kiwimlbfan
Why bother trading for anything this year unless it’s Chapman to another team. Save the prospects.
brucebochyisthemarlboroman
And so is the rest of the leagues prospective buyers interested in Story’s services.
Crypto Nerd
Trading for Story is the type of move the Yankees would make.
Rockies would love to keep him away from their division, I could see it.
I don’t know if it’s the best move behind Boston and Tampa though
case
Give up prospect capital for a half year rental of a shortstop making 7 mill and a .740 ops? Thrill me.
Metsin777
Here comes the “Clint Frazier and Miguel Andujar” trade proposals with a throw in of either Deivi Garcia or Florial to seal the deal
driftcat28 2
Haven’t seen this suggestion in the comments
JoeBrady
It’s kind of a meme in here. Some Yankee fans will throw those names out for almost any player.
luckyh
See the Cruz trade comments. They’re there.
SportsFan0000
The Yankees are not getting Story. Saw MLB article on how the Yankees think they can get all the top MLB talent for low ball scrub players offers what a complete joke and totally unrealistic lol! MLB is not the Yankees farm system. If Yankees want Story or any of the other top players available, then they will have to fork over top prospects and young players. Yankees are not inclined to trade their top prospects and young players. Teams will not be giving the NYY huge discounts and just hand over their top,, players..
Besides, the Yankees really need pitching and not more hitting….and they will have to pay market rates for any pitching deals too!
Mikenmn
Yankees are not a championship quality team right now. Why give up prospects, blow through the CBT, for a rental that may not even get them to the playoffs? I’m not saying Story is a bad player, and I’m not suggesting the Yankees can get him for a 32nd round pick and a dozen Brett Gardner bobble-heads, but 2021 just isn’t going to work for them. Build for the future.
Kg3636
Exactly this. Zero reason to give up anything for a rental when this team is going nowhere. Sell some chips and retool for next year. Huge mistake not bringing Didi back. Yanks never seem like they want to own up to their poor decisions like thinking Torres can play SS or Sanchez can catch.
emac22
A better question is why anyone uses the tax as an excuse for anything.
Mikenmn
Because these guys are businessmen and the Yankees are repeat offenders, so the tax and loss of pick has a value. There’s no marginal utility in blowing through the tax this year without being fairly sure you can convert that to a run in the playoffs.
rocky7
Solid comment…probably correct….better to wait until the offseason when they will have several SS choices and have a chance to re-form the roster rather than take the chance right now with a team that continues to be incredibly dysfunctional in its roster config.
msqboxer
Whether it’s Story or Baez you prefer the true return for pending FA position players is generally 2 prospects ranked between 10-20 or 1 with two outside the top 30 that are roll the dice potential high ceiling type players that have to be developed and are 3-4 years away from MLB. Cubs and Rocky fans are nuts thinking that they are getting anything better than that..
costergaard2
Is anyone watching the Yankees blow game after game after game with their leaky bullpen ? The Yanks should sell. This isn’t their year. She’d payroll and go shopping in the fall, under the luxury tax…
costergaard2
Shed payroll
JoeBrady
I think the NYY should trade prospects for Story. Of course, I am a RS fanatic, so……….
But as a baseball fan, before the Yankees do anything, they need to decide Torres’ future. If they are comfortable with him at SS, then their infield is set for 2022 & 2023+. If they don’t think he is their SS, then they need to trade him for value, like maybe today.
IRT Gallo, I think he is a legit target. He’s not a CF, but unless a real CF is available, you play the cards you’re dealt. It’s not ideal, but sometimes it is okay to bludgeon the other team, instead of trying to always win 3-2.
And lastly, they are 4.5 games behind Oakland before even making the playoffs. Then they have to win 3-5, with only using Cole once. Under normal conditions, any WS team has a 1:16 chance of winning the WS. Given that the Yankees are 4.5 back, I have to assume the odds a bit higher than that.
You have a week, and a lot can change, but if someone offered you serious prospects for Torres, or even viable prospects for Frazier, Chapman, etc., they have to think about it. But imo, the absolute disaster move would be to trade for Story, bust the cap, and miss the playoffs.
rocky7
Agree with everything except your Gallo comment…..he’s not a CF’er and they need strong defense up the middle starting a catcher, through SS and 2nd, and right through CF and Gallo isn’t that kind of guy….beside, if you read my previous comment, they don’t need another .210 hitter with power regardless of him being a left handed hitter…..leopards don’t change their spots and career he is what he is and exit velocity and launch angle doesn’t matter when he’s hitting .210
JoeBrady
Normally, I’d agree. But the NYY don’t have a lot of wiggle room. Marte would definitely be a better fit, but if they don’t get him, what’s next on the agenda. Sometimes, your best option is an entirely dislikable option.
Central Valley
If the Yankees sell, Joey Bart and Yaz, for Aaron Judge? Both are extremely cheap and controllable for multiple years.
rocky7
YOu’re kidding right?
billysbballz
I’ll keep Judge
emac22
This is a big deadline for the Yanks.
I wouldn’t get upset if they pass entirely or even sell but I also think they should consider trading some guys off the major league roster. Even trading Torres if you’re going to move him off of short should be on the table.
Luke, Torres, Gio, some of the 3-5 starters or RP’s should all be on the table for trades that bring back upgrades.
Why not go for it and just trade Luke, Gio and Torres for Rizzo, Bryant and Baez?
billysbballz
That’s a bad trade! You need prospects for Gleyber and Urshala. I would deal Voit and a few average prospects for Rizzo. I would consider Baez if I’m moving Gleyber to second for a few prospects but not our top prospects because honestly Baez is another rental they will never resign and Yanks are likely not even making that one game wild card as it stands. If they do they are not built to go far.
slider32
That’s not going to happen, they are all free agents at the end of the year! Story makes sense if he can be signed long term!
slider32
Yanks only have a 30% chance of making the playoffs, so they should take a good look in the mirror and build for next year. Controllable pitching would be the first priority. They will need to figure out where they have failed this year. An upgrade at first, short, left, and center are also areas that need to be addressed. The relief pitching has really failed them this year, they have lost a lot of games in the late innings..
billysbballz
If I’m Hal I’m calling a meeting with Cashman and Oppenheimer.
I’m telling Cash do not trade any young big prospects for a quick fix or an all or nothing vat like Gallo. I’m telling them to sell sell sell and start with Chapman. Than gauge interest for Urshala and Stanton if Stanton is willing to waive his no trade be prepared to eat a large chunk of that contract to get him off the payroll. San Diego is looking to add another big bat and Stanton returning to west coast might be something worth exploring. Whatever they do they should place untouchable tags on 3 prospects! Jasson Dominguez, Anthony Volpe, and Clarke Schmidt. Scouts are raving about Anthony as a team leader snd saying every team brings his name up first in trade talk. Jasson has the type of talent we haven’t had on our farm in decades! Schmidt is recovering and looking very strong as a front line arm. Those 3 cannot be moved.
Empire Exoticz
How about a grade of Torres for Baez plus a prospect?
billysbballz
Lol no thanks
mumsy01
I proposed this a couple weeks ago. Message for Yankees fans. Cash has made a living selling his crap prospects fir proven veterans. Remember Mateo, B,are Rutherford, Sheffield, on and on. The Yankees pretty much blow at p,Ayer development.
dasit
get him and sign him long term
want no part of seager or correa with their injury histories
Cuso
Doesn’t seem like a match